.5% RISE IN COST OF LIVING IS 5TH INCREASE IN A ROW<BR>

A 0.5 percent increase in the cost of living in November along the Wasatch Front is the fifth consecutive increase, according to Kelly K. Matthews, chief economic for First Security Bank.

Decreases in clothing costs were offset by increases for utilities, transportation, food eaten in home and in restaurants, health care and housing. Matthews said that since he started giving the monthly reports in March 1988, the overall cost of goods and services has increased 7.3 percent, with 6 percent coming in the past six months.Nationally, the cost of living increased 0.3 percent in November, according to the U.S. Labor Department, the first break in inflation for consumers since Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, which caused oil prices to skyrocket.

The seasonally adjusted increase in the department's Consumer Price Index followed an increase of 0.6 percent in October and even larger rises of 0.8 percent in September and August.

Matthews said the Wasatch Front inflation index (with March 1988 equaling 100) was 107.3, compared to 114.3 calculated nationally from the same base month.

Matthews' figures, broken down by category:

- Clothing. Following one month of increase, Wasatch Front clothing expenses fell 1.5 percent in November. Higher price tags for children's clothing, reversing an October trend, were offset by lower prices for men's wear, also reversing an October trend, and women's apparel.

- Utilities. Residential utility bills increased 1.9 percent in November, after one month of stability. A 3.6 percent rise in natural gas prices caused the increase. Electric bills have been stable for the past eight months, and water rates have remained the same for three months.

- Restaurants. Eating out cost 0.6 percent more in November, the report said, breaking a three-month downward trend. Lower prices on salads and side vegetables were offset by higher prices for main dishes prepared with beef.